Elderly patients: First name or Mr/Mrs?

BadBird, BSN, RN · Sep 1, 2003

I always say Mr. or Mrs. and if they want me to call them by their first name they just tell me to call them Bob or whatever. I never really have had a problem doing this.

PJMommy · Sep 1, 2003

I was also raised to refer to older folks as Mr/Mrs (I'm 34 y/o.). In addition, this is drilled into us in nursing school as well. The rule is to address them as Mr. Jones or Mrs. Smith unless they specifically tell me to address them by their first name. It's a different generation and I think it can be construed as disrespectful to call them by their first name.

classicaldreams · Sep 1, 2003

I thought it was based on respect and familiarity, not age.

Ask the patient when you introduce yourself if you feel uncomfortable--Would you prefer that I call you Mr. (Mrs.) X or by your first name?

I had a nurse in a doctor's office call me "Miss" (and my first name) several times. It wasn't appropriate office etiquette. I found it annoying. My kids used to address their preschool teachers as "Miss Debbie" (or Diane or whatever it was).

RNMBA · Sep 1, 2003

I agree with the previous postings. It is a matter of respect to address a patient by their last names until they indicate another preference and I don't believe age is much of a factor. I will ask children if it's okay if I call them by their first name.

SnowieRN · Sep 1, 2003

I dont think Id call anyone under 50 Mr. or Mrs. or Miss. Most people that are young, don't want to be called that, because it makes them feel old.

Usually what I did was "Mr. " and then he would say "call me joe, or mr. is fine."

Katnip, RN · Sep 1, 2003

I always use the title: Mr, Mrs., or Miss. If they want me to use their first names, they will usually say so.

I'd rather be conservative in this case. More people would probably be offended if you call them by their first name when they'd rather have you use title and last name, IMHO.

RN-PA, RN · Sep 1, 2003

I also always use Mr. or Mrs. when addressing any patient over 50. I'm sometimes surprised how few patients ask me to call them by their first names. I've also been corrected a few times when i've addressed someone as "Mrs." and they'll respond, " It's 'MISS'". The only time I may use a person's first name without asking is when they have dementia and/or a difficult last name to pronounce. I don't like when nurses call their patients "sweety" or "honey" or even their first name right off the bat. It sounds disrespectful to me. I also was raised to not call people by their first names and am amazed how so many people my age (47) and younger don't have their children address adults with Mr. or Mrs. and their last name. I don't get it. (Old fogey, here! :specs: )

redwinggirlie · Sep 1, 2003

I use the Mr. or Mrs. first, then if they invite me to call them by name, I will. I will NEVER call someone honey, sweetie or anything like that no matter how old they are. I hear many people using these terms with the elderly. It's so demeaning.

SnowieRN · Sep 1, 2003

If someone calls me Mr. or sir, I wont correct them, but its not something I want to be called.

GAstudent · Sep 1, 2003

I am 20 years old and a PCT/CNA at a nursing home. I usually say what feels more comforable. I have some people that I call MR. or Mrs. some that I call by their first names, some by a nickname (usually the whole facility calls them by their nickname.). Like I call a few residents Papa, Pawpaw, Aunt *****, etc. Usually at first I call them mr. or mrs. but when I get use to them or look at their charts to see what they prefer to be called I go by that.

live4today, RN · Sep 1, 2003

Having worked mostly in military hospitals, the norm and the command is to address all patients...including all staff...by their proper title...NOT including their first name.

It's Mr., Mrs., Miss, Sir, Mamm, Sergeant, Captain, Colonel, and so forth.

Pedi patients are the only patients that do not fit this category.